If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Homemade hopguard application

I have been reading alot of info on ways beekeepers deal with varroa mites. One that interested me was the mineral oil fogger but I hear alot of people say it doesn't work. I'm curious if anyone has attempted to mix Potassium Based Isomerized Kettle Extract (PIKE) with mineral oil and apply it with a fogger. It seems like it may be a more efficient way of applying it to several hives than using strips. What are your thoughts on that?

Re: Homemade hopguard application

Placing a bead across the top bars would probably save money over the strips but the theory behind the fogger would be to coat every bee and every inch of the hive in a couple seconds. Just a more effective application than relying on the bees to spread it. Im just not sure is my theory has real world application that is as or more effective than hopguard

Re: Homemade hopguard application

Interesting idea, but I worry that the PIKE changes when vaporized. It may become useless. Plus the fogger can catch fire with the oil, and even blow the lid off a hive. I think a long term treatment is better and perhaps less stressful on the bees. The bees will walk all over it and distribute it and causing a treatment for several days. I don't like the one time shot idea. The squeeze bottle is safer and rather fast. I don't think you need to cover all the frame bars. My guess is 4 per brood box. That should equate to 2 strips.

Re: Homemade hopguard application

This type of extract is not commonly used in brewing. most breweries are using hop pellets.

there are many kinds of hop extracts that are used to lesser extents for various reasons ( light stability, utilization, etc.).

Isomerized kettle extracts are used to add bitterness with high extraction. Isomerized hop acids are water soluble. Boiling hops in the kettle isomerizes 30% of the hop alpha acids. extracting and isomerizing with a salt (potassium or magnesium based) will increase this number to 100%. This gets more bitterness out of the hops reducing the amount of hops needed.

Generally brewers are interested in alpha acids, not beta acids.

I don't think your local brewery will have PIKE.

For what it's worth I am growing hops near my hive. I wonder if a hand full of hop flowers would chase away mites.